Pin setter for bowling alleys



Nov. 13, 1945. R. E. RUNDELL PIN SETTER FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Ds. 1a. 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 RUPERT E.RUNDELL BY ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1945. R. E. RUNDELL PIN SET'I'ER FOR BOWLING ALLEYS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 18

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RUPERT E.RUNDELL BY n f'.

ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1945. R. E. RUNDELL PIN SETTER FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Dec. 18, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 R Y RL E 0 N T R .mn 0 wn n mu A Nov. 13, 1945. R, E. RUNDELL 2,388,709

PIN SETTER FUR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Dec. 18, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 202 239 INVENTOR RUPERT E,RUNDELL SWW ATTORNEY Nov. 13, 1945. R. E. RUNDELL 2,338,709

PIN SETTER FR BOWLING LLEYS Filed Deo. 1a, 1941 fr sheets-sheet 5 FIG Il FIGJO INVENTOR RUPERT E. RUNDELL ATORNEY Nov. 13, 1945.

AR. E. RUNDELL PIN SETTER FOR BOWLING ALLEYS Filed Dec. 18, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIGJB RUPERT E RuNoELL z 7 d Y 0 R E w y z n m m 2 2 m m i--- M A m 2 am l 9 ww 2,323 B 2 \|I I I- o m l M 4 l l o 42 a w y a im n H 143 Il\ ya u 2 fl o 0 Z J 7 4 d I5 27 -u 2 I 2 l! HJW. Mi W 2 2 2 2 Nov. 13, 1945. R, E RUNDELL 2,388,709

PIN BETTER FOR BGWLING ALLEYS T Sheets-Sheet '7V Filed D60. 18, 1941 lNvENToR A RUPERT LRUN ELL BY W ATTORNEY Psa-sed Nov. is, 194s 2.388.109 PIN ssrrsaron BOWLING aLLrzYs Rockville Centre, N. Y., as-

signor to American Machine and Foundry Com- Dany a corporation of New Jersey Application December 18, 1941, SerialNo. 423,458

59 Claims.

This invention relates to bowling pin setting machines and more particularly to improvements in mechanism for handling pins, and for setting and resetting them upon the bed of a bowling alley.

This invention relates generally to a bowling pin setting machine of co-pending application, Serial No. 260,901, led March i0, 1939, for Bowling pin Setters, in which bowling pins fall into the pit of a bowling alley and are lifted therefrom and delivered to mechanism which transfers them to a magazine wherein they are arranged for delivery to devices which transfer them from the magazine to positions above theI alley bed corresponding to the playing position each will occupy when it is placed upon the alley.

\ It is an object of this invention to provide an improved control mechanism which may be of the general type shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 400,164, filed June 28, 194i,

for Bowling pin setting machine control mechanism, wherein certain sequential operations take place Aafter the throwing of each ball depending upon the number of pins felled by each ball, and the condition of the alley bed after each ball is thrown. That is to say, if pins remain standing or if all pins are knocked down by the first ball, certain mechanisms operate to clear the alley of deadwood and set a new frame of pins on the alley bed, or if a spare" is made, or pins remain standing after the throwing of the second ball, other selective mechanism is operated to effect the feed of a new frame of pins. While 1 have referred to my co-pending application as disclosing machines in which the subject matter of this invention is readily adaptable, it is 'within the contemplation of this invention to use my improved pin handling and setting mechanism on other machines with which it can be adapted.

According to the machine shown in my above Areferred to co-pending applications, there is provided a pin setting and resetting table which rotates at some time during the cycle of operation in order to position a new set of pins upright upon a bowling alley. This mechanism re'- quires the use of separate sets of setting and resetting units which are located on opposite sides of the bowling pin setting table and are opposed thereto. The setters operate to spot a frame of pins. usually ten on the alley; the resetting units come into operation after the first ball has been thrown and are active in lifting and resetting any vi'is which remain standing after the throwing the type shown in my of a bail in on or ofi-spot on the alley. According to my present invention I have eliminated the rotating typef of setter-resetter table and utilize a table or elevator which is provided with units capable of performing the dual function of setting and resetting pins upon the alley bed.

This is brought about by the fact that instead of placing pins in inverted position in the resetter unit, I reinvert the bowling pins which are received butt end upward in my storage magazine, position them in conveyor cups or holding members, and transfer the pins handle ends upright into position where they are engaged and held by their respective setter-resetter units. Through relative movement between the units and cups, the pins are removed from the cups, transferred to the alley bed, and deposited thereon in proper playing arrangement.

In bowling pin setting machines it is always a problem to transfer pins expeditiously from the pit of a bowling alley to a setter and set the pins on the bowling alley bed in playing arrangement. `Obviously, after a ball is thrown, there is some danger that pins remaining standing will walk or move to oil-spot positions, therefore, whenever the alley is swept in order to clean it of deadwood" after the throwing of a ball, it is necessary either to sweep all standing pins as well as "deadwood" from the alley or to lift standing pins and replace them in the exact on or ofi-spot position each occupied prior to the sweeping operation.

The mechanism disclosed in his invention relates more especially to a machine of the second type, and has for its basic thought the provision of a simpler pin setting mechanism in which upright pins are conveyed by individually and differentially movable pin supporting carriages to a point beneath a pin setting table, at which location, through relative movement between the pin setter table and carriages, the pins are transferred to the setter for delivery to the bowling alley in the desired predetermined playing positions thereon.

According to this invention I have also provided means for delivering pins butt end upward to a storage magazine which is arranged preferably to contain a suillcient number of pins to supply the needs of the setter in order to set the desired number of pins upon the alley. Usually ten pins are set in triangular formation upon the bed of an alley and, therefore1 it is an object of this invention to provide means for setting ten pins in triangular formation upon the bed of a bowling alley and also to utilize the setting means as the means for also resetting any pins which remain standing after a ball has been thrown, and insure the resetting of such pins in the exact position each occupied before it was lifted and the alley swept.

It is a further object of my invention to assemble a predetermined number of bowling pins butt end upward in a storage magazine and provide pin transfer members adjacent the storage magazine into which the pins are moved upward and located in upright position for delivery to a bowling pin setter which places them upon the bed of a bowling alley in predetermined playing arrangement.

It is an added object of my invention to provide pin transfer members adjacent the storage magazine into which the pins are delivered and located in upright position for delivery to the bowling pin setter which places them upon the bed. of a bowling alley in predetermined playing arrangement and to furnish selectively operated mechanism to actuate the pin delivery means and the members with upright pins held therein whenever a new set of pins is to be placed upon the alley.

My invention also contemplates the provision of a bowling pin setter which is capable of receiving upright bowling pins delivered thereto from a storage magazine and which operates to place the pins in on-spot position on the alley wherein the setter is also operative to resetV any pins re maining standing after the throwing of the first ball in the exact position each occupied before the removal ot deadwood."

It is a further object of my invention to provide a vertically movable setter table having thereon a single set of floating setting and resetting units which coact with a series of differentially movable bowling pin holdingcups to receive and hold upright pins delivered to the setter units by the cups and eifect a relative movement between the table and cups so that the pins can be set in onspot position prior to the throwing of the nrst ball and which units are operative to reset any standing pins upon the bed of the alley in the exact position, on or ofi-spot, each occupied after the throwing of the first ball.

My invention also consists in the provision of mechanism for aligning a pluralityof bowling pins in a number suiiicient to satisfy the requirement fora given frame, invert the required numher of pins into an aligned series oi' pin receiving and transferring cups operative to deliver the upright pins in substantial playing position to a pin setter which deposits the pins in playing arrangement on the bed of a bowling alley.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improvedV control mechanism for use in effecting completely automatic control of the several units which cooperate to set and reset pins in accordance with the number of pins felled by the nrst and second balls of each frame of the game and without manual intervention of the player.

It is a further object of my invention to provide improved automatic control mechanism for eil'ecting the feed of inverted pins from a magazine into upright position in members which transfer them into substantially triangular position above a bowling alley for delivery thereto in playing arrangement.

An added object of my invention is to provide a bowling pin setting table having a plurality of movable units capable of performing the dual function of setting and resetting pins upon the bed of a bowling alley, which units cooperate a,ses,voo

with a plurality oi pin holding cups having differential movements so that whenever pins are to be transferred to the setter units, the latter are properly positioned on the pin setter table so that the disposition of the units relative to the standing pins is such that the return of these pins to precise olf-spot or on-spot position is insured at all times. So also, if any or all of the setter-resetter units are moved out of proper alignment, usually triangular, as the bowling game is now played, then through coaction with the handle ends of a set of pins held in the conveying cups for delivery to the setter-resetter units, the units will be moved laterally into exact triangular formation prior to the release of the new set of pins from the delivery cups and, therefore, they will be properly positioned in playing arrangement upon the alley bed awaiting the throwing of the rst ball of the next frame.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned, in view,` the invention consists of the combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in cer- Vtain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

Figure l is a partial plan view, partly in section and with parts broken away showing the general assembly of my improved pin setting machine (a-a, b-b, o-c kand d-d indicating the level of section taken in Figure 2):

Figure 2 is a partial sectional side elevation of i the machine as seen from line 2-2 in Figure l:

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the cam for operating the individual pin conveyors as seen from line l-I ot Figure l;

Figure 4 is a detail view showing the cam for operating the pin turner as seen from line I-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a partial plan view showing details of the individually and differentially movable pin conveying cups:

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation on an enlarged scale showing a detailed view of the mechanism of Figure 6 taken on line 8 8 of Figure 5;

jFigure 7 is a partial plan view of a detail oi' the pin conveying means;

Figure 8 is a sectional end elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 7 taken on line l-l or Figure '1;

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the control mechanism responsible for selective operation of therpi setting devices as seen from line S-,I or Figure 12;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure yil as seen from line I-ll in Figure 9:

Figure l1 is a cross-sectional view ot the suction valve;

Figure 12 shown inFig'ure 9 as Figure 9:

Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional plan view Showing the detail construction of a part of the is a plan view of the mechanism seen from line |2 |2 in be moved by engagement with the handle end oi' the standing pins falls upon a pin tically into and out tion 30h: a high portion structure control mechanism taken on line II-li of Figure 9; and

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic and schematic wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, which show a preferred embodiment. of my invention, the frame of the machine consists of vertical standards l joined by side connecting members l and 1 and transversely connecting members 3. A motor bracket support member 9 extends transversely acrossr the rear of the machine and is suitably secured to frame member I as shown in Figures i and 2, for supporting motor DM which provides the drive for the machine through a suitable reduction gearing of any well known type having a drive shaft II which transfers the drive througha sprocket Il on shaft II and chain Il to sprocket I! loosely mounted on shaft I9 Journalled in side frames 1.

The construction of my machine may conform in part with that shown and described in my eo-pending application, VSerial No. 260,901, for Bowling pin setter, tiled March l0, 1939, in which a ball B arriving in pit P at the end of an alley and ball elevator I (Figure 2) which may take the form of that shown in copending application, Serial No. 323,062, filed March 9, 1940, by Gustaf Hagquist, movable verof the pit in order to return the bail to the player and discharge the pins back of a bumper I hung at It on a support into a pin receiving chamber C from which the 'pins are elevated and distributed by mechanism similar to that shown in the above referred to application. The arrivai of a ball B in the pit causes a switch control member I located beneath the pin and ball elevator to close a switch I! and energize a clutch of any suitable type, such as a .Bliss clutch I1 (Figure 1l mounted on shaft I! to transfer the drive from shaft II to shaft I9 for controlling the operative sequences of the pin handling and setting mechanisms, in the same general manner as described in said application, Serial No. 260,901.

When clutch I1 is energized and shaft I! is set the proper time, the drive is transferred by means of a sprocket 2| fast on shaft il through chain 2l to sprocket 2S secured to cam shaft 21, and in this manner cam 29, having a cam track 90, either integral with or fastened to sprocket 2l, is rotated at the proper time and thereby controls the movement of the pin setter table 'I'. as described hereinafter. Cam III is formed with a high portion a; a low pora high portion 30e; and cam is responsible for the movement of table T in setting and resetting pins. Cam shaft 21 is suitably mounted in bearings in side frame members 0 secured to longitudinal frame members l and 1 (see Figures 2, 3 and 4).

Loocely mounted on shaft Il between collars is a sprocket li which has associated therewith a suitable clutch li, preferably ofthe Bliss type, which is adapted at the proper time to connect sprocket SI to drive shaft I9 in order to drive cam II on cam shaft 21 and thereby impart movement to the mechanism which is responsible for transferring pins from magazine M (Figure 2) into individual pin conveying members or cups IDI, described in detail hereinafter. As shown in Figure 1, a chain 31 tracking sprocket 9| drives sprocket 89, either integral with or fastened to cam 4I provided with a track 42.

Cam 4I is loose on cam shaft 21 and is positioned between collars fastened thereon.

Mounted on shaft Il is another loose sprocket IB having associated therewith a suitable clutch l1 preferably of the Bliss type, by means of which the drive of shaft I9 is transferred by means of sprocket chain I9 to sprocket BI aecured to or integral with a cam 63. Collar BB fixed to shaft 21 locates sprocket 5I and cam It in proper working relationship with sprocket Il. It will be seen from the above that cams 4I and Il are not operative until clutch il has connected sprocket Il to shaft I9 for driving the same and either one or both of the clutches and 41 have been energized to transfer the drive from shaft I9 to sprockets I9 and 5I, respectively.

Fulcrumed on shaft 59 iournalled in bearings in side frame members 1 is a lever 51 provided with a cam follower 6I tracking cam track 80 on cam 29. The free end of lever 51 is connected to a link B3 pivotally joined at 94 to a rack Ill which is guided in a slot 68 in bracket 81 fastened to top longitudinal frame member l.

Rack B5 meshes with pinion B9 fast on shaft Il suitably mounted in bearings in side frames l upon which are fastened pulleys or sheaves 1l. I prefer to use two sheaves located adjacent the ends of shaft 1I. These sheaves are` of a wellknown type having a peripheral groove upon which is wound and unwound a cable 11 fastened at 19 to the sheave. The other end of the cable is secured to a slide portion 1l of the pin setter table T in order that the table may be raised and lowered at proper intervals. shown in Figure 2, the table israised to its uppermost position, due to the retraction of lever Il. slide portions 10 from the alley bed for setting and resetting pins thereon. Table T preferably is of the same general type and construction as that described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 400,164, filed June 28, 1941, for Bowling pin setting machine control mechanism, in which there is provided a plurality of suction pin holding units 02 slidably mounted by contact with the handle end of pins on a table plate Ill provided with openings spaced generally in triangular formation so that the handle end of pins can project upwardly through the openings (not shown) in the table plate Il and into the pin holding units B2. The plate Bl is supported by means of rods B5 on a generally triangularly shaped member 83 fastened to the frame 8B of the table. The pin holding or gripping units 92 are preferably operated by suction, as in the case of the similar units shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 400,164, and receive their suction at proper times through a conduit 81 fixed to a valve V (Figure l) mounted on the side of the machine and extending to a suction distributing conduit system Bl having an outlet above each of the pin setting and resetting holders 82. These units are also provided with electrical switches 8i (Figure 14) which are connected in a series circuit including each of the suction holders for reasons to be described hereinafter.

The suction may be obtained from any suitable source but generally is created by means of a fan (not shown) driven from the continuously operated motor DM and the control of suction in the holders B2 is effected by means of shaft 21 having fixed thereon a sprocket B9 (Figure 1) with which coacts a sprocket chain tracking a sprocket 8| on a control operating shaft 82. as described hereinafter.

It will be evident from a reference to Figures l and 2 that the suction holders I2 perform the v dual function of setting and resetting pins upon table will be lowered to cause the holding units l2 to locate a new frame oi pins on the alley in on-spot position. whereupon the pins are released from the holders and the' table rises to inoperative positicnabove the alley. If all of the pins are not knocked down by the first ball thrown, the guard and sweep will move into operative coaction with the alley, the table will be lowered again and thesame units 82 will perform the function of resetting the pins since they are operative to lift the standing pins so that the sweeping operation can be performed by means (not shown), after which the table with the lifted pins is again lowered and the pins, because of the fact that each setter-resetter pin holding unit 82 is individually movable on plate 8l, will be returned to its exact on or oir-spot position, released and the table rises so that the second ball can be thrown. Suitable guard and sweep mechanism, such as that shown in my Patent No. 2,250,503, granted July 29, 1941, may be employed for sweeping and guarding the alley against undesired or carelessly thrown balls while the setting and resetting operations are taking place.

In the case of a strike" the arrival of a ball in the pit P of the alley eiects the operation of one-revolution clutch I1, as described hereinabove, and rotates cam 30 through 360 to carry out the various movements of the table necessary to setting a new frame of pins on the alley. Referring to Figure 2, cam follower 6i on lever 51 connected by means of link 63 to rack bar 65 as it travels along the surface of cam 30 from high portion 30a to low portion 20h by means of pinion 89 and sheaves 'l5 and cables 1l, causes table T to be lowered as the leverl swings to the right (Figure 2) whereupon table T is positioned adjacent the alley. 'Ihe table is then raised to its upper limit as follower Bl travels along and onto high portion 30o of cam 30, at which time lever 51 is swung in an opposite direction to rotate sheaves 15 and wind cables Tl thereon. While table T is held in its uppermost position (Figure 2) pin transfer cups IUI, de-

scribed more in detail hereinafter, holding a set Y of pins move into triangular arrangement beneath the pin setting units l2 on table T and locate the pins therebeneath fpr delivery to the units I2. The continued rotation of cam 30 causes low part 30d to be engaged by follower Il and table T is thereby lowered a distance sufficient to allow the pins in cups IIII to be positioned in the gripper units l2. Suction is then created in the units 82, as described hereinafter, the pins are gripped and lifted thereby, 'then table T is raised as the follower 6| travels onto high portion 30e to clear the pins of cups IlllA which thereupon return to their original pin receiving positions adjacent magazine M. Continued rotation of cam 3l) causes the follower Il to travel onto low portion 30! and as a result of this movement, lever l1 swings to the right (Figure 2) to lower the table to its lowermost position in which the pins are located on the alley.

Suction is cut oi! and the pins carried by units l2 are freed therefrom whereupon as follower f Il travels up high portion 30a, the table T is again raised to its uppermost position, as shown in full lines in Figure 2, leaving the newly set pins standing on the alley. One revolution clutchl l1 then becomes inoperative and the table dwells awaitingfurther play. The movement of table T to and from the alley after the throwing 0l a ball is the same regardless of the number of pins' knocked down by each ball thrown. Control of suction, as described in detail hereinafter. will vary however depending upon the number of pins knocked down by the first ball thrown so that if a strlke" is made, a full set of pins will be set, or ii' less than ten pins are knocked down by the first ball, the remaining pins will be lifted and reset, and in any event after the last ball allowed by a frame has been thrown, a new set of pins will be positioned on the alley. In shortI the table is lowered and raised twice after each ball is thrown.

As stated above, the pin handling and distributing mechanism, which is responsible for the movement of pins from the chamber C located at the rear of the pit P (Figure 2) to the spirals 9G. can be oi' the same general construction as that shown and described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 260,901, above referred to, in which pins are conveyed from chamber C back of bumper 4, inverted and fed butt end upward by conveyor 93 moving on gu'ide pulley 95 along curved guide rails 94 and onto pin assembling members, such as rotating elongated spirals 96, preferably both of the same hand and rotating in the same direction, which translate pins therealong, whereupon the first pin strikes against wall 91 which acts as a suitable stop, andthe other pins form an aligned series abutting against each other in vertical arrangemenn butt end upward. As will be evident from Figure 1, eleven pins are aligned so that there is always in the magazine a suiilcient number of pins for meeting the requirements of the game. Usually ten pins constitute a frame, and thereforeJ until there are at least ten pins on the spirals 96, pins will continue to be furnished by conveyor 93 until the magazine is full or until all of the individual pin control switches 98 are closed and a circuit completed, at which time the ball has been returned to the player and the guard and sweep mechanism have been removed from the alley and the electrically operated clutch I'l is disconnected from shaft ill which ceases to rotate.

The pins (as shown in Figure l) rest on spirals DE in an aligned row or seriesgbutt end upward, and so long as there is a -full magazine of pins, the machine will operate in the manner set forth above, as soon as a ball lands in pit P.

In setting a new frame of pins on an alley, therefore, it is necessary that pins obtained from the magazine or from the spirals 86, be turned in order that the pin holders B2 on the pin setters may be able to grip the handle ends thereof for positioning the pins on the alley when the table with its load oi pins is lowered. A preferred form of my novel pin turning and handling mechanism is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Mounted on support rods 99 carried by frame member 1, is an inverted U-shaped guiding chute |00 so positioned that when pins are lifted upward, the butt ends engage the curved portion of the chute, slide therealong through 180 (as shown by the arrow in Figure 2) and fall by end of the guide chute and are sible be constructed. As shown in Figure 2, the conveyors are located adjacent the discharge positioned so that the pins may fall thereinto by gravity and at the same time there is sumcient space for allowing the conveyor to move beneath the table and back to retracted position without interfering with the movement of the table.

The turning device employed may Ibe formed in any suitable manner, such as by shaping it out of sheet metal. In the embodiment shown, chute ilill is provided with inwardly projecting integral portions or vanes |83 conforming to the general shape of the chute which serve in guiding pins properly into conveyors Inl. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the head ends of pins positioned butt ends upward on spirals 96 rest upon a pin turner |05 provided with an upstanding portion ||l1 which coacts with a nxed vertical wall |08 spaced from portion |01 a distance greater than pin head and assists in the delivery of pins along the spirals as they are being assembled in filling the mazagine by preventing the heads from unnecessary swinging back and forth as they move along the spirals Si. guide member ill mounted on suitably supported rods ill may be used as an aid in the turning and delivering of pins to the conveyors IUI. The outer face of the chute lll is provided with spaced openings |02 through which the heads of upright pins held in cups illi movein their travel to the setter-resetters l2.

Pin turner icl preferably is curved in order to shape of the pin handle ends. assists in maintaining the assembly of pins 2li vertical, in butt end upright arrangement for proper disposition for turning and delivery to cups lili. This is because the member |05 acts as a transverse stop and prevents non-uniform elevation of the pins on the spirals The pin turner lill is mounted for movement to project pins through guiding chute by any suitable means, such for instance as a vertically movable horizontal bar secured at its ends to bars ||1 (Figures i, 2 and 4) vertically slidable in guides il! fixed to the side frame members of Levers iis, preferably fixed to the to frame members 5, are connected to links lli and move the turner up and down whenever cam 4| rotates. This causes a cam follower |21 on lever |29 xed to shaft |23 to rock lever iis and hence move the turner.

The mechanism for operating the conveyor cupsliisshowninFlgures 5.6,'1 and 8, Figure 5 it will be `seen that two spaced supports ill, |32 extend between side frame members 'la and support the conveyor system. The system comprises ten cups li preferably provided with upstanding flanges it and active in and positioning the butt ends or pins for transfer from the pin receiving position adiacent the discharge end of the turning chute |00 to a delivering station beneath the`pin setter table 'I'. Each of the ten cups has an individual and differential movement in order that assisting bearings ill fixed Y pins can be moved from 7o pin setter a row into substantially triangular formation beneath the pin setter table for delivery to the triangularly arranged pin holder units Il. 0bviously. if any other pin playing arrangement were desired. suitable modifications can be made. The mechanisms for operating each of the cups is the same and hence only one will be described in detail. Each cup is provided with a rack Ill having a cup ici mounted on the free end thereof and projecting upwardly towards the discharge end of the turning chute ||l|l when the cups or conveyors are in retracted position. Each rack |33 is provided with side grooves ill in which run guide rollers |31. Isl carried by roller sup ports ill fixed by screws to cross supports |3| and |32. A reference to Figure 5 will show that the length of the rack bars IM, il! varies in accordance with the amount of travel each conveyor ini must make in moving from aligned position to that necessary to deposit the pins in triangularformation (as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5) 'I'hat is, the conveyor cup, which transfers pin No. I travels a greater distance than the conveyor cup VII. which delivers pin No. VII to its designated location beneath the pin setter table, and so on. As shown in Figures 2 and 8. each cup lill is mounted on top of and at the forward end of a rack In with the bottom cup rim projecting beyond the sides of the rack (see Figure 5). I'his construction insures proper operation of the cups relative to and past each other at all times. Movement of the conveyor cups is effected from transverse shaft i" which is provided with ten sprockets designated generally lll of varying diameters. This relationship is necessary in order that certain of the cups will move with greater speed so as to complete the movement of all of the cups into triangular formation at substantially the same time. The rotation of shaft i and the ten sprockets ill is transferred through ten chains |41 each secured to a gear |50 engaging with a rack |23 mentioned heretofore. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, it will be seen that sprocket Ilia controlling the movement of cups lili holding pin No. I is the largest; sprockets Iltb which operate cups itl holding pins II and III are next largest; sprockets Isle operating cups IM holding pins V and VI are next in size; and sprockets Mld which move cups IBI containing pins VII to X. inclusive, are smallest. The relationship between these driving means is such that all pins are moved to proper positions rack interference during instance, cups I||| holding pin I. which travels the greatest distance, moves most rapidly to its No. I position in the triangular pin arrangement. as shown in dotted lines in Figure 5. Cup ill carrying pin No. V moves more slowly to its final position and, as shown in Figure 5. when all cups are positioned finally for delivery of pins to setter units B2, the rim of cup NI holding pin V will overlie rack il! which supports No. I pin holding cup illi. Sprockets Il! and gears |60 are loosely mounted on shaft lli and each pair is positioned between collars I fastened Shaft Ill is supported by brackets |88 cross support ill. At one end of shaft |43 is mounted a pinion I which meshes with a rack |55 connected by a link |51 to lever Il! fulcrumed on shaft Il. Lever lll is provided with lli operable in a cam track Ill shaft 21 so that at pinsaretobefedtothe the proper l1, cam ill is rotated through clutch to ten other sprockets i,

manual intervention of the player. The control mechanisms are actuated by means of shaft 82 driven in a manner described heretofore. The shaft 82 is mounted in suitable bearings of a housing supported by a bracket 202 mounted on one of the frame members of the pin setter machine. On shaft 82 is mounted a gear 203 and a gear 204. Gear 202 meshes with a gear 205 secured to a shaft 200 while gear 204 meshes with a gear 201 loosely mounted on a stud 208 held byhousing 20|. To the hub of gear 201 is attached another gear208 (Figure 9) which meshes with a gear 2|0 also loosely supported by a stud 2|| held by housing 20|. Gear 2|0 meshes with Ya gear 2|2 which may be provided with a hub 2|2 designed to provide a support for four spring mounted plungers 2|4, each of which can be locked and released byv means of a cooperating bell crank shaped pawl 2|5 which engages or disengages from its corresponding recess 2|5 of its corresponding stem 2|1 with which each plunger 2|4 is equipped. Hub 2|3 of gear 2|2 is loosely mounted on a stud 2|0 fastened to the housing 20|. 'I'he ratio of the gears just described is so selected as to eil'ect the following results: While the main cam shaft 21 makes one revolution, the shaft 92 will make two, shaft 206 will make one-half, and gear 2|2 and hub 2|3 will make one-quarter revolution.

On shaft 206, by means of a key 220 (Figures l0 and 12), is slidably mounted a hub or sleeve,

22| provided with three suction control cams 222, 222 and 224, a strike control cam 225, and also two spare control cams 226 and 221.` The several cams can either constitute an integral part of hub 22| or be secured thereto in any known manner. As shown,cams 222. 222 and 224 are separate members fixed to the hub. whereas cams 225, 228 and 221 are integral parts thereof. The lateral movement of the control unit, which includes hub 22| and all cams just described, is effected by means of a cam lever 228 provided with a follower, such as a roller 228. which engages with a groove or track 220 in hub 22|. A tension spring 23| placed between a stationary collar 222 on shaft 206 and the end of hub 22| formed by cam 221 is employed to keep all cams in their proper horizontal position. From the hub of cam lever 220, which is mounted on a vertical stud 222, extends another arm 224 which carries a roller 225 engaging with a forked portion 236 of a cam arm 221 attached to a lug 222 pivoted to a stud 228 held by housing 20|. The vertical stud 222 is supported by a bearing bracket 240Amounted on a bridge bracket 24| attached to housing 20|. The latter, furthermore, carries a stud 242 on which is pivoted a star wheel 248 having secured thereto a star cam 244. On star cam 244 rides a cam follower 245 mounted on a lever 248 pivoted to s, stud 241 held by a suitable lug of housing 20|. From the hub of lever 24B extends another arm 248, the end 248.

of which consists of an angular extensionr or hook. A tension spring 250 suitably connected at one end to bracket 24| and at the other to an arm 24Go of lever 246 is provided to maintain follower 245 in contact with cam 244. In order to prevent possible spinning or overrunning of star wheel 242 and assure a point by point movement during operation of the machine. a flat suitably shaped contact spring 25| engages the star wheel (Figure 9) and locks it against unwanted movement.

The upper portion of housing 20| carries a suction control housing 252 which is provided with an inlet 252 and an outlet 254. Inlet 253, by means of a hose 280, is connected to any suitable source of suction, while the outlet 254 is connected to the suction distributing conduit system 88 oi' pin setter table T by means of the flexible hose or conduit 01. Within housing 252 is slldably mounted a valve 255, which in its uppermost position (Figure ll) causes the suction to be directed to the pin setter table, While in its lowermost position (Figure 11) the suction intake 252 is shut oil' and the suction in the pin setter table and adjoining conduits bleeds to the atmosphere throughs passage 258 in valve 255 and an opening 251 on top of suction housing 252."

is also equipped with an extension 282 engaging an adjustable stop screw 254 in order to keep a projection 265 of lever 250 slightly off the low portion of cams 222, 223 and 224 and thereby insure shifting of the cams in a horizontal direction without interference and locating the proper cam relative to projection 285. The selected cam then moves suction valve 255 to supply suction to the pin setter table T, as described heretofore. A tension spring 250 is provided to maintain valve in constant contact with its operating lever Mounted on housing 20| is' a bracket 261, which supports a control solenoid 208 and a switch con trol 288. The latter preferably consists of a push button switch and is operated by an arm 210 mounted on a shaft 21| supported by a suitable bracket 212. Also, fast on shaft 21| is a lever 212 provided with a cam follower 212:1 arranged to coact with cams 228, 221 for swinging lever 212 Y into engagement with switch control 288 whenever a bump on the selected cam of the two spareV cams 228 and 221 is engaged thereby.

An extension 214 Voi' the amature of control solenoid 288 is connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 215 while the other arm of this lever is provided with an angular extension, preferably a segmentally shaped lug 21| which, depending on the action of solenoid 288, is moved into or out of the path of the operating pawlsY 2|! of plungers 2 I4 rotating with hub 2 I2 of gear 2 I2, described heretofore. Bell crank lever 215 is pivoted to a stud 211 held by bearing bracket 240.

In an automatic pin setter. such as described herein, there are usually two different conditions which must be contended with, namely: 1) a first and second, or "spare ball, which "spare" ball knocks over all pins remaining standing on the alley after the first ball of a frame has been thrown; and (2) a. rst or strike ball, which knocks down all pins. Figure 14 discloses in a diagrammatic and schematic form the several electrical elements and their connection to the circuit employed in this invention with L1 and La being the power lines asrthe source of current.

The operation of my novel pin setting machine is as follows: Assuming that the machine is ready for action, meaning that the motor DM is running and ten pins are positioned in the customary playing arrangement on the bowling alley, the player throws the nrst ball down the alley and the ball knocks down only a few of the ten pins standing before it lands in the pit P. The weight of the ball B closes the switch I2, and if ten pins are in the magazine M, all of the individual magazine pin control switches 9B are closed so that a suitable circuit (Figure 14) is closed and causes energization of a solenoid 11a which operates and engages the clutch l1 of sprocket l5 thus causing the shaft i9 (Figure l) to be driven by sprocket i5 from the motor DM. Since the table operating cam 29 is fast on shaft 21, which is driven by shaft I9 through sprocket 2i, chain 23 and sprocket 25, the table T descends immediately, the setter-resetter units B2 on the table are energized and pick up the remaining pins standing on the alley whereupon the table T ascends Ywith the lifted pins held in the units 82 while the fallen pins or deadwood are swept oil the alley in the manner above mentioned.

Each time a ball is thrown it is returned to the player by any suitable means (not shown) but which, however, may be of the same general type as that shown in co-pending application, Serial No. 323,062, filed March 9, 1940, by Gustaf E. Hagquist, now Patent No. 2,293,018, issued August l1, 1942, for Pit elevator for bowling pin setting machines. The pins also are removed from the pit at the proper time and distributed by means of the type 'shown in the above referred to co-pending application, Serial No. 260,901, and positioned butt end upward in magazine M.

It will be notedl by a reference to Figure 2 that the setter-resetter units B2 may be of the same general construction as shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 400,164, and that each unit is mounted for individual lateral or sliding movement on apertured plate Bl which forms part of the table mechanism T, and also for vertical movement relative to plate 83 so that when pins are located in units 82 for gripping by means of suction locking rings 82a carried on the upper portion of nxed to plate 8l until the suction of valve V is cut oi! whereupon pins are freed from the units, and the latter become disengaged from plate 80. By means of this construction I have made it possible to utilize units 82 for setting pins oi' a frame on the alley in on-spot play ing position prior to the throwing of the first ball and also for resetting any pins remaining standing after the throwing of a given ball of a frame in occupied prior to its sweeping purposes. that units B2 are designed to perform at least two positive pin handling functions depending upon the number of pins knocked down by each ball of a given frame. Therefore, if any of the pins of a frame remain ing of a bail and under control removal from the alley for one or more have walked from their original spotted positions, when the tablethe setter-resetter units 02 i 'l' is lowered to bring into engagement with the handles of the standing pins, the units 92 which correspond to' o-spot positions, will be shifted laterally or slid along plate each unit 82, each unit will be heidy the exact on or oft-spot position each It will be seen,` therefore,`

standing after the throw- 4ten pins held by spirals Vably are moved severally Bl into alignment with the off-spot pins so that when the units are energized to grip and lift the standing pins. the positions of the setters will correspond to the off-spot positions of the pins due to the coaction between rings 02a and table 03, and hence when these pins are reset they will be returned to their identical ofi-spot positions.

Following the sweeping of the alley, the table T then descends and the pins which were lifted are released by units 92 which are de-energized when the butts of the pins engage the alley and are replaced on the alley in the same on or oitspot position each occupied before being lifted. The table then ascends, with suction cut ofi, im mediately. As mentioned heretofore, the pins are picked up by suction operated units 82, controlled by the suction valve 255 (Figures 9, l0 and ll) and operated, at this particular moment, by the cam 226 which is considered a spare cam. As described hereinbefore, cam 224 is rotated by shaft 2|l6`driven through gears 205 and 203 from the sprocket 9|, which through chain and sprocket 81 is connected with shaft 21 so that as soon as 'shaft 21 is driven, the control cam shaft 200 is actuated, the ratio being such that shaft 200 makes one-half revolution to every one revolution of shaft 21. The reason for this design is that during the second half of the cycle of the machine, that is, after the second ball is thrown, no suction is desired, and since valve operating lever 258 in this instance will stay above cam 22|, the second half of the periphery of this cam is designed accordingly.

After the pins have been reset. as described above, the player throws a second ball and knoclm down all or only some of the pins which remained standing after the first bali. of course, again lands in the pit and assuming that all yswitches 98 in the magazine are still closed, the closing of the pit switch i2 again will cause the energization of solenoid I1a, and reengage clutch i1 to effect the drive of shafts Il and 21 in the manner mentioned above. The table T descends again, but since there is no suction supplied during the second half of the cycle of the machine, the setter-resetter units 02 on table 'I' will not pick up any pins in case some are still standing and hence the table rises empty while the alley is swept clean of all pins. In the meantime, a bump on cam 221 fast on shaft 209 has lifted lever 212 thereby causing arm '210 to press against p ush button 269, make a suitable circuit (Figure 14), and energize solenoids 35a and 41a, which causes the latter to engage clutch I1 while the former engages clutch 35. As mentioned hereinbefore, clutch 36 effects the operation of the pin turning mechanism, and clutch vl1 actuates the pin delivering mechanism which supports cups IM. Therefore, as soon as solenoids 35a, 41a are energized, the 90 in the magazine M are moved out of the magazine by means of turner 10B, and conveyed through guides |00 into conveyqr cups |01, each of which is mounted on a rack |33 in the described manner, the pins beinl;` delivered handle up into said cups. As soon as table T, moving up from the alley bed, has reached its uppermost position, the conveyor cups IM with the 'upright pins held therein preferand differentially in the direction indicated by an arrow Y (Figure 2) to locate the pins held therein in substantially tri-l angular arrangement underneath the table T. The table descends the distance necessary for the units 02 to contact the pins in cups 10| and the relative movement between conveyors IBI and table 'I' causes units 52, which engage the handle ends of pins in conveyors I III to be lifted, 4and by means of valve V suction is then created in units l2 which thenV grip the pins so that when relative separating movement is instituted between the table I and conveyors IIlI, as when the table ascends a suiiicient distance, VVthe pins are withdrawn from cups Ill and the latter return to their original positions near the magazine M (Figure 2). It will be evident that if any oi' the units I2 are not positioned in exact triangular arrangement, they will be properly aligned when the handle ends oi' pins held in cups IIII engage the downwardly flaring portions of the units I2 and shift them into proper positions. The relative movement between table T and the triangularly arranged cups IIII causes units 82 to be lifted against plate B3, and because of the action of' suction then operative in the system, the units are sealed to plate 8l in proper arrangement and the several pins constituting a new frame are gripped and held in proper triangular arrangement for removal from the cups IIlI for delivery to the alley.

With each of the ten units 82 holding a pin, table T again descends and places the new set of pins in their proper onspot playing positions on the alley. the suction to holders 52 on table' T is shut oi! substantially as soon as the pins Aengage the alley thereby releasing them from holders I2 after which the table T again ascends to its uppermost position. In the meantime magazine M is filled again with ten pins by means of the conveyor I2 and spirals I8 in a manner similar to that shown in my co-pendlng application. hereinabove mentioned.

With ten pins standing on the alley and ten Pins in the magazine M, the machine is now ready for the player to throw the first ball of his next frame. Assuming thatIl the player throws his ilrst ball down the alley and makes a strike," that is, all the pins are knocked down by the first ball which lands in the pit thereby closing pit switch I2 and together with switches 58 close the circuit. Solenoid Ila causes the engagement of clutch I1 thereby starting the machine. Table T descends again with the suction in holders l2 on, as always after the first ball is thrown (first half cycle of the machine). Since all the pins are knocked down by the rst ball and the suction valves in the pin holders 82 cannot contact any pins, these valves, as disclosed in my previous application, Serial No. 400,164, Ycause the closing of switches II each of which is located in one of the pin holders 82. Switches 5I are connected in a .series circuit, one end of which is connected to the strike control solenoid 258 while the other end leads to a sliding switch 300 (Figures l and 14) fastened to a convenient place on the frame IB oi the table T and, of course, ascending and descending with the table. Switch IDU makes contact with the power line Lz only when sliding onto or resting upon a sultable contact plate 202 which is suitably mounted on one of the vertical standards I of the machine. Plate 252 is so located that switch 30B can only contact the same when the table is in its lowermost position above the alley.

Since all pins were knocked down by the rst ball and the suction valves in the table closed all switches 5I when table T was lowered thereby making a suitable circuit and energizing strike control solenoid 265 which isresponsible for moving the segmental portion 215 of bell crank lever 215 pulled by armature 214 into the path of one of the pawls 2|! revolving with hub 2li of gear 2I2. The latter, as previously mentioned, is so constructed that it makes one-quarter revolution to one revolution of shaft 21 or 90 oi that oi' the table cam 29. This ratio is so selected that no more than one pawl 2li or plunger 2M can move into operating position during any one frame of a game. When portion 216 of lever 215 swings into the path of pawls 2I5, as mentioned above, it knocks one of the pawls 2li out of engagement with its corresponding recess 2li of its corresponding stem 2I1, and due to the action of a spring 2I1a causes the corresponding plunger 2H (Figure 13) to protrude from hub 2I3. The protruding end of this selected plunger, still traveling with hub 213 in the direction indicated by an arrow in Figure 9. will then engage with the edge oi' cam arm 231 and press the same while sliding along its edge in the direction of the 'arrow indicated in Figure 9. Since roller 235 pivoted to arm 234 engages with the forked upper portion 226 of arm 231, this movement will be transmitted to arm 22B and roller 223 which tracks groove 235 of hub 22| to which all suction control aswell as` the two "spare and one strike" cams are mounted. 'I'his movement causes the cams. which together with hub 22| form one unit to shift ini the direction of the arrow 2 (indicated in Figure l2) and are held while rotating with shaft 205 in such a position that the strike suction control cam 222 is underneath the sution valve operating lever 258 and the strike cam 225 is underneath the push button operating lever 212. Strike cam 225 has no bumps and. therefore, cannot actuate the push button 288 which in turn would elfect the operation of the pin turning and delivering mechanisms, but since it is necessary to effect such an operation iniorder to place a new set of pins on the alley byithe descending table after a strike is made. a switch plate 3M (Figure 14) mounted on an extension 214a of armature 212 of solenoid 258 makes a desired contact and closes a suitable circuit necessary to energize solenoids 35a and 41a. eifecting the engagement of clutches 35 and I1 which operate the pin turning and delivering mechanisms, respectively. Therefore. the ten pins in the magazine M are up-ended and delivered into cups iIlI which as soon as the table T has reached its uppermost position,- convey them to their proper position therebeneath. The table then descends, units 82 pick up said pins and ascends to permit the retreat of the empty cups IIII after which the table with the pins descends again and places the latter in the proper playing position on the alley, which of course in the meantime was swept clean of the fallen pins. After depositing 'the pins on the alley, the table T ascends again to its uppermost position, the magazine M is filled again with ten pins. and the machine is ready for another frame.

As mentioned heretofore, the protruding plunger 2H by sliding along the edge of cam arm 221 moves the latter sideways and shifts cams 222, 223. 224 and 225, 225, 221 thereby bringing the strike cams 222 and 225 underneath the suction operating lever 258 and'push button operating lever 212, respectively. In order to be ready for the unknown outcome of the next play it is necessary after a "strike" is made to shift the cams to such a position that the suction spare cam 222 and the push button spare cam 222 line up with lever 258 and arm 212, respectively.

This sluiting is done during the end portion of the strike cycle after a new set oi pins is deposited Y. order to assure proper mihsailbythetable the latter ascends again. The sluiting of the hub y 22|, on which all cams are mounted. occurs automatically after the protruding plunger 2M leaves cam arm 231 and the pressure exerted 22| tends to push the cams back to their original positions. but the position is controlled by the arm 2li, the hook end 2li) of which swings into the path of a stud 20s (Figures 9, l0 and l2) protruding from the cam arm 231. thereby locking the latter and determining the position of the cams. In order to maintain the proper sequence of operation of the machine at all times, the suction spare cams 223 and 22|. as well as button spare cams 222 and 221 are alternated each time after a strike is made. As long as no strlkc" is made no cams will be shifted.

Arm 2l! provided with the hook portion 2l! is actuated by the cam lever 2 carrying the cam follower 2" which contacts the star. cam 244. The latter. as mentioned heretofore. is attached to the star wheel 242 which is actuated by the protruding plunger 2id as it slides along the edge of cam arm 221 and comes in contact and engages the teeth of the starwheel. Of course, it is understood that the latter can only sbe turned one tooth at a time and the position of cam follower 248 on star cam 2 determines hook portion 2l! of arm 2li, into or out of the path of stud Its on arm 221 depending on the alternating positioning of the cams mentioned above.

After the protruding plunger leaves cam arm. 221, the head of the plunger engages with a stationary cam segment sill (Figures l and 13) which pushes it back to its original or looked position in hub 2l! of gear 2i2 andv its corresponding pawl 2lb engages again in recess 2li or stem 211 and keeps said plunger locked until a strike is registered and pawi 21B is tripped it is brought either again by the segmented portion 21B of bell crank lever 216. The stationary cam segment lilprotrudes from the inner wall of housing 20|. In locking of pawl 2|! in recess 2li, each pawl is in contact with a small spring mounted plunger SI2 (Figure 13) which has the tendency of keeping each pawl in constant contact with its corresponding stem. Each stem 2H is provided with a stop collar lil which checks the protruding movement of its corresponding plunger when its pawl is tripped.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of thejclaims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. It is not. therethe position of the f fore. to be restricted to the precise details of the i structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. In a bowling pin setting machine, a magagine containing a number of inverted bowling pins sumcient for playing, a plurality of pin handling cupe located adjacent said magasine. lpositively actuated movable means for transferring said pins from said magazine and positioning em head end upright in said cuve. and means or transferring said pins head ends uvi'ilht to an alley.

2. In a bowling pin a magasine constructed and arranged to hold a number of inverted bowling pins in an aligned series, a plurality of pin handling cups movable into and out of alignment adjacent said magaeine, means for transferring said aligned series setting machine having sitioning said pins head pins :lead enc upright in ssld cups when alle cups are located `adjacent said magasine. means alignment angular formation. and means for transferring pins to an alle?.

3. In a bowling pin magazine constructed and arranged to hold a plurality of vertically positioned bowling pins. a plurality of individually operable pin transferring cup members adapted to hold bowling pins handle end upright, means for moving said members' into and out of pin receiving position sdiacent said magasine. means for simultaneously magasine in said members for generally converging movement away from said magasine. and means for moving said members individually and diiferentialiy with pins held upright therein into substantially triangular playing formation for elivery to an alley.

4. A bowling pin setting machine comprising a magazine, means icl' collecting and supporting a plurality of pins stationary in said magazine, a plurality of aligned pin handling cups located adjacent said magazine, means for transierring a number of pins sufileient for playing from said aligned pins in said magazine and po.-

end upright in said clips. a pin setter, and separately operating means for moving each of said cups to deliver said pins to said setter.

5. A bowling pin setting machine comprising means mounting pins in said magasine. a plurality of aligned pin handling cups located adiacent said magasine, means for simultaneously transferring a number or pins suiiicient for playing from said magazine and positioning right in said cups, a pin setter. means for moving said cups to dispose the pins located therein e end upright in substantially playix?l pot:

ter to deliver said pins to said setter, means for returning said cups to pin receiving position sdiacent said magazine. and means said setter to place said pins on said alley.

6L A bowling pin setting machine comprising a magazine, means for aligning a plurality ofinverted pini in said magazine. a plurality of aligned pin handling cups located adjacent said magasine. means for simultaneously transferring a number of pins sulcxent for playing trom said aligned inverted pins in said magasine and positioning said transferred pins handle end upright in said cups,a pin setter. means for moving said cups to locate the pins carried thereby in substantially playing positions handle end up right beneath said' pin setter, means for effecting relative movement y between said pins and setter to deliver said pins to said setter, and

means for moving said setter to place said pins on of pins from said magazine and positioning said 7s bers each having one end thereof generally ccnsettlng machine having a said Pins handle end iiD-` plu-k g for delivering upright vergingly mounted for sliding movement in said guides. pin supporting cups ilxed to said ends of said members, pinions mounted to engage each ot said racks on saidmembers, a drive shaft, driving connections between said shaft and said pinions, and means for driving said shaft to efrect a diiierential and individual movement of each ci' Said cups.

8. A bowling pin setting machine comprising a magazine. means for delivering inverted pins to said magazine, a pin setter, a transfer device for delivering upright pins to said setter, transfer conveying mechanism constructed and arranged to engage the heads of inverted pins in said magazine, and means for operating said mechanism to move said inverted pinsout of said magazine and deliver them upright into said device.

9. A bowling pin setting machine comprising a magazine, means for delivering inverted pins to said magazine. a pin setter, s. transfer device for delivering upright pins to said setter, transfer constructed and arranged to engage the heads of inverted pins in said magazine, means for operating said mechanism to move said inverted pins out of said magazine and into said device, and a guide for directing said pins upright into said device.

10. A bowling pin setting machine comprising a magazine. means for delivering inverted pins to said magazinel a pin setter, a transfer device pins to said setter. transfer conveying mechanism constructed and arranged to engage the heads of inverted pins in said magazine, means for operating said mechanism to move said inverted pins out of said magazine and into said device, and a stationary U- shaped guide through which said pins are moved for locating said pins upright in said device, said stationary guide being provided with a plurality of openings through which pins move to said setter 11. TA bowling pin setting machine for use with.

an alleyhaving a pin supporting bed, a pin magazine having means for assembling an aligned row oi' inverted bowling pins, pin handling cups equal in number to the number of pins required for playing movable into alignment adjacent said magazine, and means for placing a bowling pin handle end upright in each of said cups, including means for engaging from handle end o! each inverted pin and transferring each of said pins from said magazine into one of said cups.

12. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley, a magazine tor bowling pins. means for assembling in said magazine at least the number of pins required for a given setting, a pin setter provided with a plurality of individually moveable setter-resetter units loosely mounted on said setter for laterally shifting movement and constructed and arranged to be located in substantially triangular arrangement on said setter, devices located beneath said magazine i'or receiving pins in upright positionfrom said magazine, means fox-moving said devices from pin receiving position to pin delivery position corresponding to the arrangement of said units adiacent said setter. and selectively operated means for operating said units to cause the same to hold and release pins to be positioned on said alley.

13. In a bowling pin setting machine. a magazine for bowling pins. means for assembling in said magazine at least the number of pins required tor a given setting. a'. pin setter, devices located beneath said magazine for receiving pins in handle end upright position from said magaassavoo zine. mean. :or simuusneousiy transferring said assembled pins in said magazine to said devices.

movement between said setter and devices to remove said pins from said devices for delivery by said setter to an alley.

14. In a bowling pin setting machine, a magazine for bowling pins, means for'assembling in said magazine an aligned row of vertically positioned bowling` pins equal in number at least to the number of pins required in a given setting. pin handling devices movable into said aligned position to a pin delivery station adjacent said setter, said mechanism including means for imparting differential movevment to said devices to dispose them in substantially triangular arrangement beneath said setter. and means for effecting relative movement between said setter and devices to .eii'ect the defrom said devices tosaid setter.

15. In a bowling pin setting machine, a magazine for bowling pins, means for assembling in said magazine at least `the number of pins required for a given setting, a pin setter, pin transfer devices movable from a pin receiving position adjacent said adjacent said setter, means for removing the number of pins required for 'a setting from said magazine and locating said pins handle end upright in said devices, and positively and dinerentially operating meanslfor moving each of said illled devices from said receiving position to delivery position beneath said setter.

16. Pin handling mechanism for a bowling pin setting machine comprising, spaced pin support' ing members holding a plurality of inverted p a transfer conveyor for conveying upright pins from said members. an inverting device movable into engagement with said inverted pins, a stationary inverted generally U-ahaped pin turning chute positioned between said members and conveyor. and means for moving said device to remove said pins from between said members and locate the same upright in said conveyor.

i7. Pin handling mechanism for a bowling pin means for feeding a predetermined number of inverted pins to said members, a plurality of pin conveyors positioned to receive pins from said members, pin turning guides mounted for guiding pins from said members and into said conveyors, and means movable into engagement with said inverted pins for moving them through said guides for delivery upright in said conveyors. 18. Pin handling me for a bowling pin setting machine comprising, a pin setter, a maga zine including, means for assembling and storing a plurality of inverted pins. 'between said magazine and livering a plurality oi' pins to said conveyor, means for turning said pins while they are being delivered to said conveyor whereby said pins are received by said conveyor in upright position.

19, In a bowling pin setting machine, a pin setterfa magazine including spaced means for sup porting a predetermined number oi' inverted pins. a plurality o! differentially movable pin conveymagazine to a pin delivery position,

a conveyor movable' assegno ors movable between said magazine and said setter, means for delivering individual pins into each of said conveyors, and means for turning said pins to position the same in upright condition in said conveyors.

20. In a bowling pin setting machine, a pin setter, a magazine for supporting a predetermined number of bowling pins, conveying mechanism i'or transferring pins from said magazine to said setter comprising, a plurality of cups each constructed and arranged 'to-support the butt end of a bowling pin with the handle end thereof in normal upright position, a traveling member mountlng each cup, and driving mechanism associated with each of said members for imparting thereto individual and differential movement to position said cups and pins in normal upright position therein insubstantially triangular formation re1- ative to said setter.

2l. In a bowling pin setting machine, a pin setter. a magazine for supporting a predetermined number of bowling pins, conveying mechanism for transferring pins from said magazine to said setter comprising, a plurality oi' cups each constructed and arranged to support a bowling pin handle end upright, a traveling member mounting each cup, a rack fixed to each member, guides constraining said members to move in a generally horizontal plane, pinions engaging each oi' said racks, and driving means associated with each of said pinions for imparting thereto individual and diii'erential movement to position said cups and upright pins therein in substantially triangular formation relative to said setter.

22. In a bowling pin setting machine, a pin setter, a magazine including spaced means for supporting a predetermined number of inverted pins, a plurality of differentially movable pin conveyors movable between said magazine and said setter, a pin turning chute locatedv adjacent said magazine, 'and means for movingpins through said chute :or delivery upright into said conveyors.

23. In a bowling pin setting machine i'or use with a bowling alley, a pin setter, a magazine including spaced means for supporting a predetermined number oi bowling pins, a plurality ci' ditiere'ntially movable pin conveyors constructed and arranged to support pins handle end upright positively and differentially operating means formoving each of said conveyors between said magazine and said setter, means for delivering a set of pins handle end upright into said conveyors, and selectively operated control mechanism operative as the result o! the removal of all pins from the alley as the result of the throwing of the nrst ball of a frame or lthe throwing of the second ball for setting into operation said last named means and said means for operating said conveyors to feed pins from said magazine to said setter.

24. In a bowling'pin setting machine, a magazine including means lor storing apredetermlned number of pins butt end upward, a pin setter mounted for .movement to and from an alley bed for setting and resetting bowlingpins thereon in playing arrangement, a plurality ci conveyors for delivering Vupright bowling pins i'rom said maga. zine to said setter, said conveyors being movable beneath said magazine and setter to receive pins from said magazine vand deliver the same to said setter, a stationary curved pin turning guide located adjacent said magaaine, and means for removing pins trom said magazine and projecting the same through said guide for delivery in upright condition to said conveyors.

25. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley comprising, mechanism for assembling a plurality oi' bowling pins butt end upward, means for removing a set o! pins from said assembly corresponding to the number or pins required for a new frame, means for inverting each of said selected pins, conveyor means for transferring said upright pins away from said inverting means and positioning the same in playing arrangement above said alley, a device provided with a plurality of triangularly arranged `holders for holding said upright pins for setting in playing position on said alley, means for lowering said device to position said pins on said alley, means for releasing said pins from said holders, means to raise said device and leave said pins standing on said alley prior to the throwing of the iirst ball, and selective control mechanism operative after said first ball has been,thrown and all or some pins have been knocked down thereby for reinstituting the operation oi said device and holders to set a new frame of pins or cause said holders to lift and reset any pins left standing for the throwing of the next ball.

26. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley comprising, mechanism for assem' bling a plurality oi bowling pins butt end upward, means for removing a set oi? pins from said assembly corresponding to the number of pins required for a new frame, means for inverting each of said pins, conveyor means for transferring said upright pins away from said inverting means and positioning the same in playing arrangement above said alley, and a device having a plurality of pin setting units for setting said upright pins on said alley, said units also being operative to reset any pins remaining standing on said alley after the throwing of a ball.

27. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley comprising, mechanism for assembling a plurality of bowling pins butt end upward, means for removing a set of pins from said assembly corresponding to the number of pins required for a new frame, means ior inverting each of said selected pins, conveyor means for transferring said upright pins away from said inverting means and positioning the same in playing arrangement above said alley, a device having a plurality of laterally movable pin holding and setting units, means for e'ecting relative movement between said conveyor means and said device to eiiect a delivery of pins from said conveyor means to said units, and means for moving said device to deposit said upright pins on said alley. n

28. A bowling pinsetting machine for use with a bowling alley comprising, mechanism for assembling a plurality of bowling pins butt end upward, means for removing a set of pins from said assembly corresponding to the number of pins required for a new frame. means for inverting each o! said selected pins, conveyor means for transferring said upright pins away from said inverting means and positioning the same in playing arrangement above said alley, a device having a plurality oi' laterally movable pin holding and setting units, means for eil'ecting relative movement between said conveyor means `and said device to enect a delivery of pins from said conveyor means to said units, means for moving said device to deposit said upright pins on said alley, and means operative alter the throwing of a ball for operating said units to reset in their on or oB-spot position any pins` rxmainingl standing after the throwing ot said 29. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley comprising; mechanism i'or assembling a plurality of bowling pins butt end upward, means for removing a set of pins i'rom said assembly corresponding to the number o! pins required for a new frame. means for inverting each of said selected pins, conveyor means for transferring said upright pins away from said inverting means and positioning the same in playing arrangement above said alley. a device having a plurality of laterally movable pin holding and setting units for setting and resetting on-spot and od-spot pins, means for eiecting relative movement between said conveyor means and said device to eliect a delivery of pins from said conveyor means to said umts, means for moving said device to deposit said upright pins on said alley, and selective means for controlling said conveyor means to furnish a new set o! upright pins to said device ii' all pins on said alley or knocked down by the first ball 30. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley comprising, mechanism for assembling a plurality of bowling pins butt end upward, means for removing a set oi pins from said assembly corresponding to the number oi pins required for a new frame. means for inverting each oi' saidV selected pins, conveyor means for transferring said upright pins away from said inverting means and positioning the same in, playing arrangement above said alley. a device having a plurality of laterally movable pin holding and setting umts for setting and reseting on-spot and oil-spot pins, means for edecting relative movement between said conveyor means and said device to effect a delivery ot pins from. said conveyor means to saidnnits, means for moving said device to deposit saidupright pins on said alley. selective means tor controlling said conveyor means to furnish a new set of upright pins to said device if all pins on said alley are knocked down by the i'lrst ball thrown. or render said conveyor means inactive to furnish a new set of pins, and means coacting therewith to cause said umts to reset on the alley in their on or oil-spot position any pins remaining standing ai'ter the throwing ci' a ball.

31. In a bowling pin -settingmachine for use with a bowling alley. mechanism for assembling a plurality of bowling pins butt end upward, a pin setter, a pin inverter. conveyor cups operable to receive pins delivered from said mechanism.

means ior operating said inverter to elect pins from said mechanism for delivery upright into said cups. and selective means to operate said cups and setter to set a new frame o! pins or resetstandingplnsonsaid alley afterabalihas been thrown. Y

83. In `s. bowling pin setting machine for a bowling alley having a pin supporting bed, a `pin setter, pin handling umts loosely mounted on ,v said setter, a pin conveying mechanism movable from a pin receiving position to a delivery position beneath said setter forA delivery of a set ot` pins handle end upright to said pin` handling umts, means for moving said setter to deposit pins held bysaid unitson said alley bed in on- `spot position. .selective mechanism for causing said setter to moveto and from said alley bed to cause said same units to litt any pins remainessence .ter and said holders for transferring pins from said holders to said umts. means ior moving said setter with said pins to deposit the same in playing arrangement on said alley. and means operative after a ball has been thrown ior again moving said setter adjacent said alley for causing said umts to lift and re-set inon or oli-spot position Buy Pins remaining standing.

34. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley, a pin setter, pin holding umts for setting and resetting pins loosely mounted on said setter. a pin conveyor provided with a plurality oi holders for conveying pins handle end up for delivery to said setter, means for eii'ecting relative movement between said setter and said holders for transferring pins from said holders to said units. means for moving said setter-with said pins to deposit the same in playing arrangement on said alley, and selective means operative in response to the number of pins knocked down by a ball thrown for setting a new :rame oi pins or causing said setter-resetter units to reset in the 'same on or oil-spot positions any pins which remained standing as a result of -the ball thrown.

35. In a bowling pin setting machine i'or a bowling alley, a pin setter. a plurality ot movably mounted pin setting and resetting pin holding umts carried by said setter. pin conveying devices tor conveying bowling Pins handle end upright, means for moving said devices into exact playing arrangement relative to said umts for delivery ci' said pins to said units. and means i'or eii'ecting relative movement between said umts and devices to align said umts for receiving said n pins delivered thereto by said devices.

36. In a bowling pin setting machine for a bowling alley, a pin setter movable vertically to and from said alley. a plurality ci movably mounted pin setting and resetting pin holding umts carried by saidsetter. pin conveying devices for conveyingbowling pins handle ends upright, means i'or moving said devices into exact playing arrangement relative to said umts above said alley and beneath said setter for delivery of said pins to said units, means i'or eilecting relative movement between said umts and devices to align said umts for receiving said pins. and means operative after said pins have been delivered to said aligned umts i'or returning said devices to pin receiving position. i

37. In a bowling pin setting machine for a bowling alley, a pin Asetting table, individually movable pin setting and resetting sripllinl units carried by said table. a conveyor device including. a` plurality ot pin holders corresponding in number Lto that of said units, and means for moving said holders trom a pin receiving station to s. 'pin delivering station beneath said umts. means i'or moving said holders into triangular arrangement during their travel from said receiving to said delivering station, means for moving said table downward to cause said umts to engage and hold the handle ends of said pins carried upright ing standing alter a ball has been thrown and in said holders. and means on said-units for causing said units to move into axial alignment with said pins in said holders.

38. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley. comprising a pin assembling station, a pin setter table. a plurality oi' setter units mounted tor individual movement thereon, and normally positioned in substantially pin playing arrangement thereon, mechanism operative beneath said table tor conveying a predetermined number of pins handle ends upright from said assembly station and positioning them 1n said movable setters for delivery to said alley. and means for maintaining said pins handle end upright after they have been delivered to said table and until said pins are positioned on said alley.

39. A bowling pin setting machine for use with ai bowllrg alley, comprising a pin assembling station, a pin setter table, a plurality oi setter units mounted for individual movement thereon, and normally positioned in substantially pin playing arrangement thereon, a plurality of individually movable pin conveyors for moving pins handle ends upright from said station to a delivery position beneath said table, means i'or locating said conveyors in exact pin playing pOsition relative to said units beneath said table. means for effecting relative vertical movement between said set ter and conveyors to cause the handle ends of said pins in said conveyors to move any oat-oiposition units into axially aligned relationship with said pins, and means for operating said units to grip and hold said pins.

40. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley, comprising a p'n'assembling station. a pin setter table,a plurality of setter units mounted for individual movement thereon. and

in said units to cause the same to hold or release pins dependent upon the etl'ect desired as the resuit of each ball thrown.

42. A bowling pin setting machine i'or use on-a `bowling alley comprising. a pin assembling station. a pin setter table movable to and from said alley for setting and resetting pins thereon, a plurality of pin setting and resetting units carried by said table and mounted for limited movement thereon, said units being arranged generally in pin playing arrangement on said table, conveying mechanism tordelivering pins handle ends upright to each of said units including, individual `pin holder cups corresponding in number to'said units, and means for imparting differential movement to each of said cups to locate said cups and pins carried handle end upright therein in triangular pin playing position beneath said table and said movable units. i

43. A bowling pin setting machine for use on a bowling alley comprising, a pin assembling sta- 1 tion, a pin setter table movable to and from said normally positioned in substantially pin playing arrangement thereon, a plurality of individually movable pin conveyors for moving pins handle ends upright from said station to a delivery position beneath said table, means for locating said conveyors in exact pin playing position relative to said units beneath said table, means for eii'ectlng relative vertical movement between said sette'r and conveyors to cause the handle ends oi' said pins in said conveyors to move any out-oiposition units into axially aligned relationship with said pins, means lor operating said units to grip and hold said pins, means for separating said setter and pins heid therein from said conveyors, means i'or returning said conveyors to pin receiving position, and means for lowering and raising said table to set and reset said pins. L

41. A bowling pin setting' machine for use with a bowling alley, comprising a pin assembling station, a pin setter tablel a plurality of suction setter units mounted for individual movement thereon, and normally positioned in substantially pin playing arrangement thereon, a plurality oi individually movable pin conveyors for moving pins 'handle ends upright from said station to a delivery position beneath said table., means for lol eating said conveyors in exact pin playing posi.-

tion relative to said units beneath said table, means ior enacting relative vertical movement 'between saidsetter and conveyors to cause the handle ends of said pins in said conveyors to move any autrui-position units into axially aligned relationship with said pins in said conveyors. means tor operating said units to grip and hold said pins. means for 4separating said setter and pins held therein from said conveyors. means for returning said conveyors to pin receiving position, means for lowering and raising said table to set and reset said pins, and means for controlling the suction alley i'or setting and resetting pins thereon. a plurality oi' suction pin setting and resetting units carried,by said table and mounted lor limited movement relative thereto, said units being arranged generally in pin playing arrangement on said table, conveying mechanism for delivering pins handle ends upright to each of said units, including individual Vpin bolder cups corresponding in number to said units, positively actuated means for imparting differential movements to each oi said cups to locate said cups and pins carried handle end upright therein in triangular pin playing position beneath said table and said movable units, `and selective means for creating suction in said units to cause said units to grip said pins and hold the same for setting and resetting on said alley,

44. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley comprising, a pin assembling station, a pin setter table, a plurality oi' setter units mounted for individual movement thereon, and normally positioned in substantially pin playing arrangement thereon, means i'or delivering a predetermined number of pins handle ends upright from said assembly station and positioning them in said movable setters, and means operative when said pin handles have been disposed `in said units for gripping and supporting said pins with the butt ends free and projecting downwardly towards said alley.

45. A bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley comprising. a pin assemblingstation, a pin setter table, a plurality of suction setter units mounted for individual movement thereon, and normally positioned in substantiallypin playing arrangement thereon, a plurality of individually movable pin conveyors for moving pins handle ends upright from said station to a delivery position beneath said table, driving means for moving and locating each oi' said conveyors in exact pin playing position beneath said table. means for eecting relative vertical movement between said setter and conveyors to cause the handle ends of said pins in said conveyors to move any out-ot-position units to move into axially aligned relationship with said pins. and control means for creating suction in each o! said units to grip and hold said pins.

46. In a bowling pin setting machine i'or setting pins on an alley bed in playing position, a pin magasine comprising, a plurality of aligned pin holding elements. means for placing butt ends of eine in said elements with the handle ends thereof 

